AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL

IMMIGRATION JUSTICE CAMPAIGNTO ADDRESS THE LACK OF JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS IN DETENTION THE COUNCIL LAUNCHED THE IMMIGRATION JUSTICE CAMPAIGN (THE CAMPAIGN), A JOINT INITIATIVE WITH THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THOUSANDS OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN HELD IN DETENTION CENTERS. SINCE 2017, THE CAMPAIGN HAS BUILT A NATIONWIDE VOLUNTEER NETWORK OF ATTORNEYS, INTERPRETERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTERS TO SERVE THOUSANDS OF DETAINED INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNREPRESENTED AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE END OF IMMIGRATION DETENTION.

LITIGATION AND LEGAL EDUCATIONTHE COUNCIL IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN IMMIGRATION LITIGATION AND IS RESPECTED FOR ITS WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY TO BRING CUTTING-EDGE LAWSUITS THAT HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE. THROUGH LITIGATION, THE COUNCIL HAS STOPPED, SLOWED, OR IMPROVED SOME OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS, UNLAWFUL IMMIGRATION POLICIES. THE COUNCIL'S LEGAL DEPARTMENT'S ROBUST DOCKET ADDRESSES A RANGE OF CRITICAL ISSUES, INCLUDING ABUSIVE ENFORCEMENT, THE DENIAL OF DUE PROCESS, AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. IN ADDITION TO AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION, THE COUNCIL FILES AMICUS ("FRIEND OF THE COURT") BRIEFS AND ENGAGES IN EXTENSIVE LEGAL EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUAL IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS THROUGH PRACTICE ADVISORIES AND WEBINARS.THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO TAKEN A LEADING ROLE IN SHEDDING LIGHT ON IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND INFORMATION THAT ARE OTHERWISE SHIELDED FROM THE PUBLIC EYE. THE COUNCIL'S TRANSPARENCY TEAM USES THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) TO SECURE DATA AND DOCUMENTATION FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND TAKES THEM TO COURT WHEN THEY FAIL TO COMPLY. ONCE THE COUNCIL RECEIVES AND ANALYZES GOVERNMENT RECORDS AND DATA, THE COUNCIL PUBLISHES REPORTS AND SHARES THE INFORMATION PUBLICLY. THE COUNCIL ALSO LEADS EFFORTS AMONG LITIGATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND ADVOCATES TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY WITHIN IMMIGRATION AGENCIES AND ADVANCE FOIA REFORM.